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Should you opt for one of Foxtel’s new NBN broadband bundles?

While Foxtel is huge when it comes to Pay TV matters, the telco has made strides lately towards offering appealing broadband internet subscriptions as well. Foxtel is offering NBN broadband bundles, giving customers access to speedy internet and affordable TV packs. But should you go for one of Foxtel’s shiny bundles? We investigate.

It’s been a while since cable TV provider Foxtel moved into the internet business and started selling home broadband subscription bundles. Until recently, the telco only offered ADSL connections, which are still great for those of you who don’t have access to the NBN just yet. But since customers whose homes were already covered by the NBN might have felt neglected, Foxtel decided to remedy the situation. Since the end of 2016, new and existing Foxtel clients can opt for one of the telco’s NBN broadband bundles. You can now enjoy faster internet and all your favourite Foxtel channels at the same time.

That was the right move, since the NBN rollout is going according to schedule. In August 2017, it was announced that 2.4 million homes and businesses were connected to the network, while the number of premises ready for service reached 5.7 million, almost doubling in the last year alone.

Sounds great, right? After all, who wouldn’t want to stream Netflix seamlessly or download files at higher speed, while watching the latest episode of Wentworth on the big screen? But while these new Foxtel bundles are great at first sight, you should pay careful attention to the fine print. Luckily, we’re here to give you a head start. Here’s everything you need to know about the Foxtel NBN broadband bundles, so you can figure out if one of them is a good fit for you.

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Bundles overview

Foxtel is currently offering four NBN broadband bundles, all based on the amount of data you want and the TV pack that’s more suitable for you and your family.

200GB nbn™ Broadband + Entertainment Bundle

First off, we have the most basic Foxtel broadband bundle. It comes with 200GB of data. Now, we’re not going to beat around the bush: if you’re a heavy internet user or are purchasing this bundle for an entire family, 200GB of data won’t be enough. It won’t cover streaming, watching videos on YouTube, or downloading tons of files. However, if you’re only using the internet to moderately, it will cover you just fine. We have an article about how much data you should go for based on our internet habits which we definitely urge you to read before making a decision.

This bundle also includes a phone line with unlimited standard local calls and the Foxtel Entertainment Pack which comes with 45 channels – including FOX8, Arena, Universal Channel, as well as music, kids’, and news channels. If you were looking to watch the latest episode of Game of Thrones with this pack, however, the odds aren’t in your favour. You will be required to add extra channel packs to cover all your needs – like drama or sports – which translates to additional costs. With only the basics, this bundle will cost you $91/month on a 24 month plan.

Unlimited nbn™ Broadband + Entertainment Bundle

Now this is where things become interesting. This bundle costs only $10 more than the 200GB one, which is basically a bargain, since it comes with unlimited data. That means that you can stream and download as much as you want, without worrying about going over your monthly data allowance. This is definitely the better choice for heavy internet users or families. This bundle also comes with a phone line including unlimited standard local and national calls and the Foxtel Entertainment Pack. All for $101/month on a 24 month plan.

200GB nbn™ Broadband + Platinum HD Bundle

200GB and every Foxtel channel available. Sounds good, right? If you’re a moderate internet user and love your TV, it’s pretty much ideal. You also get a phone line with unlimited standard local calls. This bundle costs $192/month on a 24 month plan.

Unlimited nbn™ Broadband + Platinum HD Bundle

If you really want to enjoy absolutely everything that Foxtel has to offer, this is bundle for you. It’s pretty pricey, but it comes with unlimited data, a phone line with unlimited standard local and national calls, and the Foxtel Platinum HD pack. This pack includes every Foxtel channel available, so you’ll have a plethora of entertainment at your fingertips. This bundle costs $202/month on a 24 month plan.

Why these Foxtel bundles are appealing

While these new Foxtel NBN broadband bundles might not be the perfect choice for those looking solely for internet connections (there are cheaper options available after all), they’re a great pick for anyone who wants an internet and pay TV combo. The Unlimited Broadband + Entertainment Bundle is, in our option, the best of the three, since it comes with unlimited data and 45 channels suitable for the entire family.

Moreover, the 100GB Broadband + Entertainment Pack can also be a good choice for those who want to go online from time to time, but aren’t keen on being connected 24/7. As for the Unlimited Broadband + Platinum HD, this bundle might be pricey, but it does come with all Foxtel channels available, which means you gain access to all the content Foxtel has to offer – exclusive TV shows and sport events included. Not too shabby.

A warning about download speed

When it comes to the NBN, this isn’t like your old ADSL connection. While there was little you could do about ADSL speed, NBN providers are currently offering plans at different speed tiers. It might sounds confusing at first, which if why we’ve written an in-depth piece about why choosing the right download speed matters.

Now, these Foxtel NBN Broadband bundles each come at a low speed tier. The 200GB Broadband bundles offers a speed of 12/1 mbps, while the Unlimited ones offer 25/5 mbps speed. The numbers refer to download/upload speed, but measured in megabits per second rather than megabytes. As a reference, 12 Mbit/sec is at the mid-range of possible ADSL2+ download speeds.

If you’re really looking for speedy internet, Foxtel does offer higher speed tiers. But, as you might have guessed already, these costs extra. For instance, the highest tier, 100/40 mbps, will cost you $40 extra/month for the 200GB Broadband bundles and $30 extra/month for the Unlimited bundles.

Were you content with your previous ADSL speed? Then the standard speed tier included in each of Foxtel’s new NBN broadband should be enough. But if speedy internet is really what you’re after, you might want to spend a little extra.

Conclusion

The Foxtel NBN broadband bundles are definitely a great addition to Foxtel’s overall offerings. The NBN rollout is in full deployment. More and more people will want to opt for an NBN connection instead of an ADSL one. Foxtel’s bundles are great for those looking for an NBN + pay TV combo, especially families with various entertainment needs.